Breaking into Chapel Hill proved to Steven Dubb that his family’s Beechwood Homes
made a good decision to branch out to North Carolina after 40 years of building homes in New York.

Beechwood bought 103 acres on the south edge of the Orange County town for $7.25 million in 2021, with plans for a 250-home retirement community. “The town actually said, ‘We need more homes in Chapel Hill,’” Dubb says.

So the company countered with a 600-home proposal, presented at a Town Council meeting. With his father, Michael Dubb, the company founder and CEO, and Beechwood’s top lawyer watching the meeting online, the younger Dubb didn’t know what to expect.

“When the town board came back asking for even more density, I could hear their jaws hit the floor in New York,” he says.

Chapel Hill ended up approving the 815-home South Creek development of condominiums, townhomes and apartments. The first phase of 92 apartments in the $500 million project should open next year, a mile from the UNC Chapel Hill campus.

The process took 18 months, says Dubb. In contrast, Long Island, New York, spent seven years mulling a 700-home Beechwood project, and that was considered  “lightning speed.”

“It was a different world,” he says.

Started in 1985, the company first considered a North Carolina expansion in 2020. “My dad and I were looking at each other and said we’ve got to get a foothold in a more business-friendly state,” he says.

It wasn’t until 2023 that they opened their first two projects, totaling 100 homes, in the affluent Queen City suburbs of Weddington and Marvin in Union County.

Another project underway is a 217-home Catawba County development Lakeside Points on Lake Norman in Sherrills Ford, about 35 miles northwest of Charlotte. Homes mostly range from the mid-$600,000s to $1.4 million. Some of the 46 waterfront properties are priced
at more than $2 million, with buyers attracted by a private marina, clubhouse and swimming pool. 

Beechwood has built about 10,000 homes, mostly in New York, with a current pace of 150 to 300 units per year. In 2024, it had about $250 million in revenue, including $90 million from North Carolina.

Beechwood expects further growth in the Triangle and Charlotte areas. “We’re here to stay,” Dubb says. “This isn’t a one-off or a couple of projects, and then we take our ball and
go home.”

Using local contractors and listening has paid off for Beechwood. “I think a lot of nationals come into a market and say, ‘We’ve got a way of doing things, we’ve got a set of houses, you’re going to build our houses, here’s our models,’” says Dubb. “Our approach couldn’t be more opposite to that. We think people in the Charlotte area and Chapel Hill know much better what to build and how to build than we do in New York.

“We’re very conscious of what people think of New Yorkers, so we try to have a very soft touch and hopefully change some minds at least within the company,” he adds. 

Gloriously situated on a mile-long stretch of Lake Norman peninsula, Lakeside Pointe is emerging as the premier community for discerning residents seeking the very best in waterfront living – and a neighborhood feel like no other.

This beautiful 215-home community offers townhomes and single-family homes – both designed with everyone in mind from extended families and retirees to young couples. The picturesque Lake Norman landscape couldn’t be a more perfect backdrop for this luxury community that welcomes residents with an immense range of daily comforts and lifestyle amenities that all radiate from The Beacon Club.

More than simply a clubhouse, this shining, luxurious centerpiece of Lakeside Pointe is a striking structure with clean lines and a neutral palette that beautifully frames every view of the lake. As the pivotal part of Lakeside Pointe’s intentional “neighborhood” feel, its position at the peninsula’s tip provides stunning 270-degree water views that create natural gathering spaces where neighbors can truly connect.

Intentionally designed as the “living room for the entire community,” the club creates a shared lakefront experience for all residents, regardless of where their home is located within Lakeside Pointe. In essence – homeowners here consider Lake Norman their new backyard, whether it’s an active, adventurous lifestyle, or the promise of a more tranquil, relaxing retreat that lures them. The Beacon Club was designed to maximize every view, recognizing that the lake is the real crown jewel of the community. 

Since the 5,000-square-foot private Beacon Club opened in early June, residents have appreciated the extensive outdoor features, including private boat slips and launch facilities, and an expansive pool terrace. Twenty-six acres of preserved open space offer a network of walking trails to connect neighborhoods, allowing the club to serve as the gateway to the outdoor lifestyle that makes Lakeside Pointe so special. Add to that the future 68,000-square-foot pedestrian friendly retail space, and residents can expect this amazing clubhouse to continue standing out as the heart of the community.

Visitors to The Beacon Club are immediately drawn to its standout features, including the lake-facing great room with a stunning wall of windows which captivates your senses with a panoramic view of Lake Norman. Outdoor amenities such as the dog park, playground and soon-to-come docks also attract future homeowners as quality perks of daily life. The state-of-the-art fitness center affords an exemplary workout inspired by lake views – another effort to connect residents with the peaceful vibes of the community’s natural beauty that’s guaranteed to bring people together in harmony!

Lakeside Pointe is the flagship lifestyle community in North Carolina for Beechwood Carolinas, a division of New York-headquartered The Beechwood Organization. One of the largest privately owned developers of single-family homes, multi-family homes and luxury lifestyle communities on the east coast, the company is known for its thoughtful land planning and design. Other Beechwood developments in North Carolina include Weddington Glen, a luxury 35-estate home community in Union County; Broadmoor at Marvin, a second Union County luxury community featuring 62 luxury and custom homes; and South Creek, a Chapel Hill-based, mixed-use community that’s currently in development and will feature up to 815 residences including apartments, condominiums and townhomes along with 52,000 square feet of retail space and an 80-acre nature preserve. 

Community-led activities are taking shape, and the clubhouse offers an inviting space to support and grow resident-driven events, such as organized hikes and walks through the community’s extensive trails. Central to life at Lakeside Pointe, the pool terrace’s expansive deck and sprawling lawn incorporates a fire pit, gazebo and seating areas for gathering, entertaining and relaxing.

“The Beacon Club is truly the heart of Lakeside Pointe. Every detail was created with intention, offering a shared space where neighbors can connect, relax and enjoy Lake Norman together. It’s more than an amenity. It’s a reflection of our vision to build communities that bring people closer to the land and to one another.” ~ Steven Dubb, principal and president, The Beechwood Organization.

Learn more about the endless possibilities awaiting you at Lakeside Pointe by calling 803.889.0137, emailing info@beechwoodhomes.com or visiting Beechwoodcarolinas.com. The community is located at 7235 Fighting Creek Road, Sherrills Ford, NC with model homes open daily. Follow them on Instagram @beechwoodcarolinas and @lakeside_pointe.

By Martie Emory

Did you know that just living near water can significantly reduce stress, boost happiness, and enhance your overall well-being? It's more than just the beautiful scenery; waterfront living can offer meaningful improvements to your mental and physical health, deepen your social connections, and even support your financial security.

If you’re considering a move, here’s why buying a waterfront home could be one of the best decisions for your mind, body, and lifestyle:

1. Mental Health Benefits

Have you ever felt instantly calmer when you're near the ocean, a lake, or a peaceful river? That soothing sensation is rooted in science. Marine biologist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols coined the term "Blue Mind" to describe a mildly meditative state triggered by being near water, one that is associated with reduced stress and improved mental clarity.

Research from the University of Exeter found that people living within 1 kilometer of the coast were 22% less likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to those farther inland.

Living by the water offers natural mental health benefits, including:

• Reduced Stress: Gentle water sounds and views of nature naturally lower cortisol levels.
• Enhanced Mood: Proximity to water settings is linked to higher levels of happiness and tranquility.
• Mental Clarity: Water environments help clear mental clutter and promote emotional balance.

2. Cognitive Restoration and Increased Creativity

Nature exposure, particularly to water, enhances cognitive performance and creative thinking. A 2015 study by Stanford University showed that walking in natural environments improves memory and attention by up to 20%. This is especially valuable in our overstimulated digital age. 

In today's fast-paced world, finding focus can be challenging. Natural environments, especially those involving water, act as powerful cognitive restoratives. Research indicates that:

• Exposure to nature enhances memory and attention.
• Views of water can promote creative thinking and problem-solving.
• Gazing at water helps reduce mental fatigue and restore emotional balance.

3. Physical Health Benefits

Living near the water naturally encourages a healthier, more active way of life. Simply having easy access to these natural spaces makes staying active feel effortless.

Waterfront living promotes physical wellness in several ways:

• Increased Physical Activity: Activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, walking, and running become easily accessible and enjoyable ways to stay active.
• Fresh Air and Sunshine: Living by the water means regular exposure to fresh air and natural sunlight, boosting your mood, strengthening your immune system, and supporting overall well-being.
• Improved Sleep: The calming sounds of water help regulate your body's natural sleep rhythms, leading to deeper, more restorative sleep.
• More Time Outdoors: With beautiful surroundings just steps away, it’s easy to spend more time outside, staying active and connected to nature.
  

When you live near water, your environment naturally inspires you to move more, spend more time outdoors, and embrace a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

4. Stronger Social and Community Bonds

Waterfront communities offer a space to build strong social connections. Shared appreciation for outdoor living and natural beauty creates instant connection points.

In waterfront neighborhoods, you’ll often find:

• Shared Spaces: Community docks, trails, beaches, and clubhouses encourage regular interaction.
• Spontaneous Socializing: Meeting neighbors while kayaking, walking, or relaxing outside happens naturally.
• Community Events: Waterfront communities often host social gatherings.

This lifestyle fosters a welcoming environment where it’s easy to build friendships and enjoy a strong sense of community.

5. A Daily Connection to Nature and Beauty

Living near water connects you to awe-inspiring natural beauty every single day, from sunrise reflections on a lake to peaceful ocean sunsets. Having regular access to these views and experiences that inspire gratitude and mindfulness encourages you to pause, observe, and appreciate the environment around you.

6. Financial Advantages of Waterfront Real Estate

While the health and lifestyle benefits of waterfront living are clear, you might be wondering about the financial practicality. Waterfront homes typically come with a higher initial investment, and you might ask yourself, is buying a waterfront property a good investment?

It's true that waterfront properties often carry higher costs in terms of property taxes and insurance premiums, primarily due to increased property values and potential risks like flooding or coastal storms. However, these expenses are usually offset by the strong appreciation in waterfront home values. According to Zillow, waterfront properties can be worth up to 116% more than comparable inland homes.

Why Do Waterfront Homes Have Higher Property Values?

• Limited Availability: There's a finite supply of waterfront land, which naturally increases demand and drives higher property appreciation.
• Lifestyle Premium: Buyers pay more for the unique lifestyle that waterfront living provides (e.g., easy water access, recreational opportunities, stunning views, and the tranquility associated with waterfront living).
• Resilience During Market Fluctuations: Because waterfront homes are consistently in high demand, they often hold their value better during economic downturns compared to typical inland properties.
  

Addressing Insurance and Tax Concerns:

• Insurance Costs: Waterfront homes may require additional insurance coverage (flood insurance, hurricane protection). However, well-built modern communities often include construction methods designed specifically to mitigate these risks, reducing potential premiums. Additionally, higher costs are usually balanced by the home’s long-term appreciation and potential rental income.
• Property Taxes: Taxes typically correlate with property values. Although waterfront homes generally have higher property taxes, these taxes directly reflect your home's appreciating value, positively contributing to your financial growth. Further, potential income generation (e.g., seasonal rentals) can offset these higher taxes.
  

Key Financial Benefits to Consider:

• High Appreciation Potential: Waterfront properties have consistently appreciated at higher rates due to limited availability and strong buyer demand.
• Rental Income Opportunities: Many waterfront homeowners generate passive income through short-term vacation rentals.
• Legacy and Wealth Transfer: Waterfront homes serve as excellent legacy properties, providing financial security and valuable real estate assets for future generations.

Ultimately, investing in waterfront real estate doesn’t just enhance your lifestyle today; it provides long-term financial security, reducing stress and offering peace of mind.

Turn Your Waterfront Living Dream Into Reality

From mind and body to finances and lifestyle, waterfront living offers benefits that go far beyond the view. 

From the stunning coastal regions and lakes of North Carolina to the diverse rivers, lakes, and shorelines of New York, Beechwood Homes offers exceptional new construction communities designed to embrace the waterfront lifestyle.

Ready to transform your life? Explore our new construction waterfront homes in New York and North Carolina:

New York

• Lighthouse Beach 67th: Beachfront condominium residences featuring endless ocean & skyline views in The Rockaways.
• Marina Pointe: A community of exceptional condominium suites and villa homes offering unparalleled luxury and convenience in the heart of East Rockaway.
• The Tides at Arverne by the Sea: Modern, amenity-rich beachfront apartments in The Rockaways.
• Country Pointe Preserve: Resort-inspired community of townhomes and villas near beautiful beaches and featuring three scenic manmade ponds.

North Carolina

• Lakeside Pointe: A residential community offering lake access to all residents along a mile-long stretch of peninsula with breathtaking water vistas at Lake Norman.

Welcome to Lakeside Pointe, a luxury community on Lake Norman, North Carolina, developed by Beechwood Homes. In this video, Steven Dubb, principal at Beechwood Homes, offers a tour showcasing the custom home designs tailored for lakeside living. Featuring two-story ceilings, large windows, and expansive kitchens, these homes emphasize natural light and views. With 12 customizable home models, residents can personalize everything from floor plans to exterior finishes. The community also offers an array of amenities, including a clubhouse, boat docks, parks, and more.

A $500 million mixed-use development in southern Chapel Hill is advancing.

New York-based Beechwood Carolinas will be starting construction this month on its
South Creek development across from Southern Community Park. South Creek will have
up to 815 apartments, condominiums and townhomes in a range of prices. The developer
is specifically targeting helping the town tackle its housing shortage. In addition, there
will be up to 52,000 square feet of commercial space.

Right now, 798 units are planned – 92 are apartments, 100 are townhomes and 606 are
condos. The apartments will be rented at market rate while the townhomes and condos
will range for sale from $300,000 to $1 million.

The first building to be constructed will be the 92-unit apartment building, which will sit
at the entrance to the community along the future extension of Market Street. The
residential building will have 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. A 6,000-squarefoot
standalone restaurant will sit next to the apartment building.

After the apartment building is complete, the company will start work on the first condo
building, which will have 68 units.

The apartments and condos will be a mix of one, two and three bedrooms while the
townhomes will be three bedrooms. The apartment building will be six stories, the
condos will be seven stories and the townhomes will be three stories with rooftop
terraces.

There will be two levels of parking in the apartment and condo buildings and the ground
floor of the townhomes will be a garage.

Residents of South Creek will have access to three swimming pools, fitness center, fire
pits, dog park, demonstrating kitchens, podcasting studio, community gathering areas,
amphitheater, stage and more.

The property is just over 120 acres where the development will be on just 40 while the
remaining 80 will be a nature preserve with walking trails. The community and preserve
are split by Obie Creek that cuts through the whole site.

The entire community will take about eight years to full buildout. Steven Dubb,
president and principal of The Beechwood Organization – of which Beechwood Carolinas
is a division – said the development of the land is funded via The Beechwood
Organization while construction of the buildings will be funded through a construction
loan.

This is the developer’s first project in the Triangle as it has spent the past four years
working to identify a new state to expand into. Dubb said that because the company has
spent 40 years in Long Island, New York, building a brand while watching New Yorkers
recently move to the Triangle and Charlotte, it decided to follow suit.

“We thought that maybe our buyers, if they’re looking for a home in the Carolinas, will
recognize Beechwood and feel some comfort with the brand and know the brand –
therefore making our entrance into the area easier,” Dubb said.

Elsewhere in Chapel Hill, the new Rosemary Street parking deck is open, a new Indian
restaurant is planned for Franklin Street and the Durham-Chapel Hill corridor is quickly
growing with development.

Read the original article - https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2024/09/06/beechwood-carolinas-south-creek-chapel-hill.html

A new neighborhood offering more places to live, work and catch a bus to UNC and downtown Chapel Hill got its official launch Tuesday across from Southern Village.

At a ceremonial potting bench in a clearing just off U.S. 15-501, representatives from Beechwood Organization and Beechwood Carolinas joined Chapel Hill Mayor Jessica Anderson to break ground on South Creek, a $500 million, 43-acre mixed-use development with an 80-acre natural preserve.

The N.C. Native Plants Society gathered plants from the land this summer, some of which were potted Tuesday. The plants will be saved and replanted in Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, said Aaron Nelson, president of the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro.

“I just love the fact that we are infiltrating, sending some of our growing plant life from Chapel Hill over to our friends at Duke, to grow and be nurtured and near their Gothic architecture,” Nelson said.

Construction crews will start the groundwork at South Creek later this month. The first building will be apartments with 10,000-square-feet of ground-floor retail across the highway from Southern Village’s Market Street business district, said Steven Dubb, principal and president of The Beechwood Organization. Work on the condominiums could start in 2025, he said.

RETAIL, RESTAURANTS AND A PUBLIC PARK

The full buildout of South Creek will take several years, adding 92 apartments for rent and 606 condos and 100 townhomes for sale. The market-rate townhomes and condos could cost from the $300,000s to over $1 million, development officials said.

About 100 housing units — 15% of the condos and townhouses and 10% of the apartments — will be priced at below market rates.

South Creek’s business district will include 21,000 to 52,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, with a public lawn and a plaza for outdoor dining. That includes a 6,000-square-foot restaurant with a terrace overlooking Wilson Creek and the park, Dubb said.

The retail mix should complement businesses in Southern Village, which include Weaver Street Market, coffee shops and restaurants, retail and entertainment, he noted.

The 80-acre public nature preserve and trails, as well as Wilson Creek, will be an amenity for residents and the public, Dubb said. More green spaces will be located near the Sumac Road intersection, where co-working and pop-up business space is possible.

SOUTH CREEK REPLACED OBEY CREEK

South Creek occupies a similar footprint that the Town Council approved in 2015 for Obey Creek, which was expected to bring about 700 apartments and over 1 million square feet of retail, offices and hotel rooms to the site.

Obey Creek developer East West Partners went through a multiyear public process to secure a development agreement from the town before failing to find the retail and office tenants needed to start construction.

In 2021, Obey Creek Ventures LLC sold the land to Beechwood Obey Creek LLC, a subsidiary of Beechwood Organization, for $7.25 million, county records showed.

Beechwood originally came to the town with a plan for 350 senior townhomes, but the council asked for more density and a diverse housing mix for individuals and families, Dubb said. It was unlike what they had encountered in other communities that also wrestled with housing and affordability, but “pay lip service to the issue and kick the can down the road,” he said.

WHAT LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE SAYING

South Creek will “truly be transformative,” Anderson said, noting the affordable housing and 80-acre park. “It’s a huge win for Chapel Hill and an amazing model of what Complete Community is all about,” she said, referring to the town’s strategy for housing that serves all residents and neighborhoods that don’t require a car to get around.

It isn’t hard to get a project done in Chapel Hill, “if you engage the community and the neighbors, if you work with the Town Council, if you show the community that you share their values, if you … read the plans for our community in advance,” Nelson said. “This organization has done that, and came out of some council meetings with lipstick all over them … and everybody was enjoying bringing to our community what we long desired.”

MORE PROJECT DETAILS

▪ A variety of housing types and sizes. 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments and condos from 525 to 2,725 square feet; 3-bedroom townhouses with rooftop terraces and garages from 1,600 to 2,900 square feet.

▪ Roughly half of the affordable housing will be sold or rented to people earning 65% of the area median income and the other half will be sold or rented to people earning 80% of AMI — up to $59,360 a year for an individual or $76,320 for a family of three. Housing vouchers will be accepted. Over 600 for-sale condos will comprise most of the housing at South Creek, a 43-acre mixed-use development on U.S. 15-501 across from Southern Village in Chapel Hill. Beechwood Carolinas Contributed

▪ Amenities include green spaces, including an open lawn for events and entertainment and the 80-acre preserve. Three swimming pools, splash pads, a fitness center, game rooms, communal work spaces, and podcasting studios, plus a large outdoor space for food truck rodeos, farmers markets, festivals and other events.

▪ A memorial honors 1960s civil rights protests at the Watts Motor Court and Restaurant previously located on the site.

▪ Connections for cars, bus riders and pedestrians include three driveways, a full intersection at Market Street and a left-turn only intersection at Sumac Road, with a pedestrian refuge and activated traffic signals. Bus stops and the Southern Village park-and-ride lot are within walking distance, and a future bus-rapid transit station is planned at Market Street.

Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article291933270.html#storylink=cpy